The UN agency for Palestinian refugees says that if Israel carries out its threat to close its east Jerusalem headquarters on Thursday, the outsize effects will be felt acutely and immediately by tens of thousands of Palestinians.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) stated today that Israel's decision to halt the agency's activities in occupied Jerusalem and demand the evacuation of all buildings it occupies by the end of this month contravenes international law obligations for UN member states,

UNRWA highlights severe impacts on Palestinian lives if Israel closes its east Jerusalem headquarters, affecting schools and clinics.

Israel on Friday said that the UN's Palestinian aid agency UNRWA has until the end of January to leave Jerusalem. UNRWA must "cease its operations in Jerusalem, and evacuate all premises in which it operates in the city,